Carpet roller

ABSTRACT

An apparatus having a plurality of pressure point bristles extending from a rotatable cylindrical member, so that said bristle pressure points can provide good floor contact of newly laid carpets. Said cylindrical member is rotatably mounted in a channel support which has weight holding means to receive a selected number of weights to desirably adjust the weight of the entire apparatus so that desired weight of pressure contact is attained when the apparatus is rolled across a carpeted area by a person pushing an elongated handle mounted to the top of the channel member.

United States Patent Holub, III et a1.

1 Aug. 20, 1974 CARPET ROLLER lnventors: Frank J. Holub, 111, Chicago;

Joseph F. l-lolub, Oak Lawn, both of 111.

Assignee: Frank Holub Brush Manufacturers,

Chicago, 11].

Filed: Apr. 13, 1973 Appl. No.: 351,033

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 4/1879 Sibley 15/27 Boughan 15/246 1,537,918 5/1925 Cave l5/27 1,562,768 11/1925 Hiatt 15/27 2,967,314 l/l96l Kowalewski 15/49 R Primary ExaminerAl Lawrence Smith Assistant ExaminerRoscoe V. Parker, Jr.

[57] ABSTRACT An apparatus having a plurality of pressure point bristles extending from a rotatable cylindrical member, so

that said bristle pressure points can provide good floor contact of newly laid carpets. Said cylindrical member is rotatably mounted in a channel support which has weight holding means to receive a selected number of weights to desirably adjust the weight of the entire apparatus so that desired weight of pressure contact is attained when the apparatus is rolled across a carpeted area by a person pushing an elongated handle mounted to the top of the channel member.

10 Claims, 3 Drawing Figures This invention relates to an apparatus for effecting floor contact of a newly laid carpet especially commercially installed carpet which is held to a floor surface by adhesive materials. The invention particularly relates to an apparatus having a plurality of spaced, advancing pressure points which effect good floor contact without causing undesirable carpet impressions.

Installation of carpets requires tedious attention to make sure that the carpet has good floor contact so as to remove any ripples, bulges, bunchings or the like. Various means have been used in the art to fasten a carpet to a floor surface, including adhesive material, tape, tacks, and still other means. In smaller installations, the carpet is levelled for good floor contact by simply walking across the surface or by manually levelling or smoothing out such a carpet. This becomes a more difficult problem in commercial installations where very large areas are coverd by carpeting, such carpeting most often being held to the floor area by an adhesive material. A film or layer of the adhesive material is first applied to the floor surface, which may be wood or concrete, and then a commercial carpet is laid thereover. Unsatisfactory results may be attained if attempts are made to level or smooth out the carpet only by walking thereover or by dragging ones feet or a tool implement over the carpets surface. In any event, such procedures are time consuming and costly from a labor point of view, in addition to being plagued often by unsatisfactory results.

It is one important object of the present invention to provide a new carpet contacting apparatus which can be simply operated by unskilled persons to reliably assure good floor contact by newly laid carpet, without requiring complex, tedious, or time consuming operations.

Another important object of the present invention is an improved apparatus for quickly and efficiently contacting newly laid carpet to a floor surface by simply advancing a plurality of spaced pressure points which effectively achieve desired floor contact without causing undesirable depressions or blemishes in the carpet surface.

Still yet another important object of the present invention is an improved apparatus for contacting carpets on newly laid floors to more efficiently attain floor contact even on irregular floor surfaces such as concrete without requiring long time or specialized efforts.

Yet still another important object of the present invention is an improved apparatus for efficiently contacting carpet on newly laid floors by providing sufficiently high pressure points selectively through a weight adjustment of the apparatus in accordance with the requirements'of given carpet installations, such pressure points advancing under the selected weight without collapsing.

Yet still another important object of the present invention is an improved apparatus for contacting carconsidering the invention of the following disclosure,

including drawings wherein:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the new and improved carpet contactor apparatus, showing portions in an exploded manner;

FIG. 2 is a side elevational view on a slightly enlarged scale; and

FIG. 3 is a front elevational view on a still larger scale.

Looking at the drawings, the carpet contactor is shown generally as 4, and it is further shown as having an elongated handle 6 having threaded elbows 8 at the opposite ends. The bottom of the elongated handle has a reduced diameter threaded stub 9 adapted to be threadably engaged with threaded bore in elbow 8. Such threaded bore being seen in the view of FIG. 3. The elbow 8 at the top of the elongated handle is joined to a gripping member 10 which is preferably disposed generally parallel to the floor surface or laid carpet.

The elbow 8 at the bottom of the elongated handle is mounted to the top of a channel member shown generally as 12. The channel member has opposite sides 14 which extend downwardly and in normal relationship to transverse top 16. The front and back edges of the transverse top is shown as having ridges 17 which impart structural strength to the memberpThe top part 16 of the channel member is provided with vertically pets on newly laid surfaces wherein sufficiently high pressure points are advanced in any easy rotatable manner by a person simply walking the apparatus over the floor area of the carpet.

The foregoing objects are attained together with other objects which will occur to practitioners from mounted stakes 18, one on each side of the elongated handle. Such stakes are adapted to receive disc weights having central passageways, one of such discs being indicated at 20. Such discs or weight elements impart desired weight to the apparatus as a whole by adding one or more to the weight holding means shown as stakes.

Transversely disposed between the sidewalls is a rotatable cylindrical member which includes a central shaft 24 journalled at its opposite ends in ball bearing 26. The bearing assemblies 26 are mounted in passageways 28 in the sides 14. A locking cover 30 covers the passageway, and such locking cover includes a plate and fasteners not otherwise identified. A cylindrical core is fixedly mounted to the shaft by means such as key 33.

The core has a plurality of borings 34 in which are mounted bristle tufts shown generally as 36. Such tufts comprise a number of individual bristles which in the aggregate are substantially non-collapsible when the desired weights are placed on the apparatus, and such apparatus is used in levelling newly laid carpet. The bristles may be variously fastened within the borings such as by bonding material, stapling, or the like. In general, a bunch of bristles are folded at their middle and the fold is inserted into the bore where it is fastened.

The bristle tufts 36 represent individual pressure points when the apparatus is in use. Advancing the apparatus by an operator pushing the handle causes these pressure points to advance to efficiently contact the carpet with the underlying floor surface, yet without causing undesirable depressions or damage to the carpet. The bristles in the aggregate have sufficient rigidity and non-flexibility so that the bristles do not collapse in operation. It is required that the individual bristle tufts be not spaced too closely and certainly be free from abutting relationship. In the preferred practice, each bristle tuft is spaced from an adjoining bristle tuft by a distance which is at least equal to the widest trans- I diameter of the tuft at its floor contacting surface.

A particularly preferred apparatus has the individual bristle tufts separated about 2 inches from one another, the preferred disposition of the bristle tufts also provides that the tufts in one row such as 38 are spaced about 45 from the bristles in an adjoining row such as 40. It is also preferred that the bristles in one'row such as 38 are staggered relative to the bristle tufts in an adjoining row such as 40, such configuration best seen in the view of FIG. 3. The angular disposition of bristle tufts in one row relative to an adjoining row can be further understood by extending the axis of each bristle to the longitudinal axis of the cylindrical member which lies generally along shaft 24.

The advancing pressure points in the apparatus operate best when sufficient pressure levels are attained, and this is provided by an apparatus having sufficient weight in its totality. It has been found that the preferred weight for the apparatus is from about 20 lbs to about 50 lbs depending on the type of carpet, its tufting, the subfloor, and possibly other features. In any event, such desired weight is attained by adjustment through mounting a sufficient number of weight elements 20. The general weight of the apparatus is further realized by providing metal parts for the channel member and the elongated handle, as well as the stakes. Metal castings are provided so that the sides are welded or the like to the top transverse member, and the elbows 8 are likewise welded to the top transverse member and to the elongated handle. The handle can be metal pipe, for example.

The claims of the invention are now presented, the terms used in such claims may be further understood by reference to the language of the preceding specification and the views of the drawings.

What is claimed is:

1. An apparatus for effecting floor contact of newly laid carpets, including support means,

an elongated handle mounted to said support means a cylindrical member rotatably mounted to said support means, said cylindrical member having a plurality of substantially non-flexible bristle tufts mounted thereto, said tufts being spaced from one another at least the widest transversed dimension of a bristle tuft,

weight holding means on said support means, and

a weight element engaging said weight holding means to impart desired weight to the entire apparatus of at least'about 20 pounds.

2. An apparatus which includes the features of claim 1 above, wherein said bristle tufts are disposed in a plurality of adjoining rows, the bristle tufts in each row being staggered relative to bristle tufts in an adjoining row, and each bristle tuft being spaced by about two inches from an adjoining bristle tuft.

3. An apparatus which includes the features of claim 1 above, wherein a plurality of removable weight elements are present to engage said weight holding means to adjust the weight of the entire apparatus from about 20 pounds to about 50 pounds.

4. An apparatus which includes the features of claim 3 above, wherein said weight holding means are a pair of stakes mounted to the top of said support means, one stake being to each side of said elongated handle, and the plurality of weight elements being metal discs which are mountable and removable from said stakes.

5. An apparatus which includes the features of claim 4 above, wherein said support means is a channel member having a top transverse wall, and a side wall at the end at each end of the transverse wall, said side walls being normal to said transverse top wall, each of said stakes being vertically mounted to said top transverse wall.

6. An apparatus which includes the features of claim 1 above, wherein said cylindrical member includes a cylindrical core fixedly mounted to a rotatable shaft and the opposite ends of said rotatable shaft being journalled to bearing supports and said side walls.

7. An apparatus which includes the features of claim 6 above, wherein said cylindrical core is of hardwood, said hardwood core having a plurality of borings, and said bristle tufts being recessed and mounted within said borings. 1

8. An apparatus which includes the features of claim 1 above, wherein said bristles are nylon, and said bristles being sufficiently long and sufficiently bunched so that the tufts do not collapse when the apparatus is used with desired weight attained by said weight elements.

9. An apparatus which includes the features of claim 8 above, wherein said elongated handle has a gripping member, and said handle extends sufficiently to allow said gripping member to be grasped by a standing person, said gripping member extending substantially parallel to the laid carpet.

10. An apparatus which includes the features of claim 1 above, wherein said support member is an elongated channel having top transverse wall and opposite sidewalls extending downwardly in normal relationship to said transverse wall, said cylindrical member being a cylindrical core journalled at its opposite ends to said sidewalls, said cylindrical core having a plurality of borings, and said bristle tufts being recessed and mounted in said borings, said tufts comprising a plurality of adjacent rows, the bristles in one row being staggered relative to the bristles in an adjoining row, each of said bristle tufts being separated from an adjoining bristle tuft by about 2 inches, said weight holding means being a pair of vertically mounted stakes, one stake being on each side of said elongated handle, and said weight element being a plurality of metal discs, each having a centrally located passageway so that said discs can be removably mounted on said stake elements. 

1. An apparatus for effecting floor contact of newly laid carpets, including support means, an elongated handle mounted to said support means a cylindrical member rotatably mounted to said support means, said cylindrical member having a plurality of substantially non-flexible bristle tufts mounted thereto, said tufts being spaced from one another at least the widest transversed dimension of a bristle tuft, weight holding means on said support means, and a weight element engaging said weight holding means to impart desired weight to the entire apparatus of at least about 20 pounds.
 2. An apparatus which includes the features of claim 1 above, wherein said bristle tufts are disposed in a plurality of adjoining rows, the bristle tufts in each row being staggered relative to bristle tufts in an adjoining row, and each bristle tuft being spaced by about two inches from an adjoining bristle tuft.
 3. An apparatus which includes the features of claim 1 above, wherein a plurality of removable weight elements are present to engage said weight holding means to adjust the weight of the entire apparatus from about 20 pounds to about 50 pounds.
 4. An apparatus which includes the features of claim 3 above, wherein said weight holding means are a pair of stakes mounted to the top of said support means, one stake being to each side of said elongated handle, and the plurality of weight elements being metal discs which are mountable and removable from said stakes.
 5. An apparatus which includes the features of claim 4 above, wherein said support means is a channel member having a top transverse wall, and a side wall at the end at each end of the transverse wall, said side walls being normal to said transverse top wall, each of said stakes being vertically mounted to said top transverse wall.
 6. An apparatus which includes the features of claim 1 above, wherein said cylindrical member includes a cylindrical core fixedly mounted to a rotatable shaft and the opposite ends of said rotatable shaft being journalled to bearing supports and said side walls.
 7. An apparatus which includes the features of claim 6 above, wherein said cylindrical core is of hardwood, said hardwood core having a plurality of borings, and said bristle tufts being recessed and mounted within said borings.
 8. An apparatus which includes the features of claim 1 above, wherein said bristles are nylon, and said bristles being sufficiently long and sufficiently bunched so that the tufts do not collapse when the apparatus is used with desired weight attained by said weight elements.
 9. An apparatus which includes the features of claim 8 above, wherein said elongated handle has a gripping member, and said handle extends sufficiently to allow said gripping member to be grasped by a standing person, said gripping member extending substantially parallel to the laid carpet.
 10. An apparatus which includes the features of claim 1 above, wherein said support member is an elongated channel having top transverse wall and opposite sidewalls extending downwardly in normal relationship to said transverse wall, said cylindrical member being a cylindrical core journalled at its opposite ends to said sidewalls, said cylindrical core having a plurality of borings, and said bristle tufts being recessed and mounted in said borings, said tufts comprising a plurality of adjacent rows, the bristles in one row being staggered relative to the bristles in an adjoining row, each of said bristle tufts being separated from an adjoining bristle tuft by about 2 inches, said weight holding means being a pair of vertically mounted stakes, one stake being on each side of said elongated handle, and said weight element being a plurality of metal discs, each having a centrally located passageway so that said discs can be removably mounted on said stake elements. 